Orbitz.com Allianz Assurance Group Orbitz part of a huge scam with it's "rental car protector" partner, Allianz Assurance Group orbitz.com Internet

Orbitz is perpetrating a scam on it's customers, along with Allianz Assurance Group, who provides all of it's "rental car protector".  I just returned today from a one-week trip to Cabo San Lucas.

I rented a car on Orbitz and purchased a 'rental car protector' policy for which I was IMMEDIATELY charged $72 on my Visa. Even though you don't pay for the rental car until you arrive and pick it up, the insurance is charged instantaneously upon booking.

Upon arrival at the counter to pick up my car I was informed by Thrifty Rent-a-Car that none of these rental car insurance plans purchased on Orbitz or from Allianz are worth a penny in Mexico!! And this happens to customers every day!!

To add insult to injury, Mexico requires that you purchase mandatory collision of $19.99 per day plus fees- you have NO CHOICE if you want the car you were depending on for transportation - and they warned me that it is in the fine print so good luck getting a refund.  This $150 or so provides ONLY collision coverage; third-party liability coverage isn't even available, so if you hit another car or injure property or another person, you are on your own and you have to utilize your own auto insurance, if you have it.  

Again, you HAVE TO buy this coverage whether you want it or not, and you've probably already paid Orbitz/Allianz for coverage that they KNOW is worthless. This is the definition of a scam, and this ripoff happens on a daily basis through the collusion of these two companies; and Allianz has a virtual monopoly on travel insurance for rental cars both domestically and abroad.  I have registered a dispute with my credit card company but as of today there is $72 + $150 = $222 for a week of collision coverage on a rental that was suposed to be about $83.00.